Hannover Re expands executive board to bolster Asia P&C expansion

Hannover Rück SE (Hannover Re) has appointed Sharon Ooi (pictured above) as an additional member of its executive board, effective January 2023.

The move is part of Hannover Re’s strengthening of its focus on Asia as a growth region, the company said. Ooi will oversee the further expansion of Hannover Re’s property and casualty reinsurance business in Asia-Pacific.

“With Sharon Ooi, we have been able to attract an internationally recognised expert for the growth region of Asia-Pacific to Hannover Re,” said Torsten Leue, chairman of Hannover Re’s supervisory board. “I look forward to working with her.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Sharon to Hannover Re’s executive board,” said Jean-Jacques Henchoz, CEO of Hannover Re. “She will play a crucial role in shaping Hannover Re’s further expansion in Asia-Pacific as the region is gradually evolving into the world’s largest insurance market. Sharon has proven her skills in various positions throughout the region and has an intimate knowledge of the markets.”

Ooi will join from Swiss Re and will be primarily based in Hong Kong. She has worked for Swiss Re in Asia-Pacific since 2006, most recently as head of Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney. Prior to that, she held various positions at the reinsurer’s P&C business in Asia. She holds an honours degree in cell and molecular biology from the National University of Singapore.

“I’m thrilled to join Hannover Re and am very much looking forward to further developing the company’s dedicated growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region,” Ooi said. “I’m fully convinced of the future opportunities that the region I call home has to offer. Hannover Re is very well positioned to partner with its clients in this important region.”